The 3 C's: Calm, Cool, and Collected
Ivy Griffin
During this difficult time, I know many of us may not have the means to access ongoing mental health care or may have to re-prioritize our own mental health needs for the good of our loved ones. It's tough! So, I wanted to share what I have found to be helpful for myself and a practice I try to teach in sessions with my clients.
Throughout the years and even more so since I’ve been in this field, I have recognized that I tend to be pretty calm, cool, and collected when it comes to a crisis. However, in light of this pandemic, I have noticed that a number of people struggle with this, which is definitely not uncommon given the level of unpredictability and lack of control that we are faced with right now. When I talk with folks about how they have been coping with the day to day changes, a majority of them say, “Just trying to remain calm,” but still seem anxious, distressed, and/or panicked.
I first want to say that this is normal! Most of us experience degrees of anxiety, distress, and panic when a crisis occurs. However, what is not as helpful is perpetuating those symptoms, because it takes away our ability to rationalize and think logically through a situation.
So, how do you stay calm, cool, and collected, even when the world around you is not? These steps have helped get myself and others to a more mindful and peaceful state:
Begin by taking deep breaths (in through the nose and out through the mouth). This will begin the process of calming your internal nervous system down, in order to think rationally and logically.
Once you have found yourself in a calmer state, prioritize. Often, clients will tell me they have a million tasks to tackle and not know where to start, to which I respond, “Let’s prioritize!” At that moment, ask yourself, “What takes precedence?” or “What is most pressing right now?”
Take action! Once you are able to discern what takes priority, begin the process of seeing those tasks through, and before you know it, you will have completed your list.
4. Last but not least, please exercise self-compassion (by talking to yourself like you would to a friend, which probably means not thinking how lazy or stupid you are) and patience throughout this process.
Judging yourself and trying to hold yourself to unrealistic standards are not going to give you the positive results you’re hoping for. As humans I believe we are resilient beings, whether by chance or choice, and I do my best to highlight our innate optimism. So, I invite you to treat yourself kindly during and beyond this process. Best of luck to you all and stay safe and healthy out there!
Warmly, Carly
Supervised by Ivy Griffin, LMFT 51714
Thrive Therapy & Counseling
1614 X St., Suite A Sacramento, CA 95818
916-287-3430